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Washington counties

Fishing in Whatcom County, Washington

County seat: Bellingham. Population 226,847.

• 21lake pages
• 19launches
• 8river pages

Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99

Photo of Ross Lake: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 4.0

Whatcom County, Washington

Lakes, rivers and ramps of Whatcom County in one read

Bellingham houses the Whatcom County courthouse, serving 226,847 people as of the 2020 count. Trout planted here show up in the WDFW report as WDFW Region 4 releases. Similkameen River (Whatcom County) straddles the line with Oregon or Idaho. Up in the hills, WDFW maps 56 lakes as high lakes.

The paged lakes number 21, spread over 26,135 acres, with Ross Lake on top. Its salt water runs into San Juan Islands, Bellingham Bay and Strait of Georgia. Among the county streams, WDFW shows anadromous runs in Skagit River, Nooksack River, Baker River and Similkameen River (Whatcom County). Launching comes down to 19 boat launches, run by 16 WDFW and 3 other agencies. From shore, the WDFW facilities layer lists 24 shore or access sites here, 10 of them piers or platforms.

21lake pages

19boat launches

8river pages

18shops listed

Census 2020 population; WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, WDFW facilities and State Parks launch layers (WDFW GIS); WDFW marine areas; retrieved October 31, 2026.

For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 $79.99

Map

Lake points and ramps of Whatcom County, mapped together

WDFW and State Parks launch layers, WDFW facilities, WDFW lake points, NHD river midpoints and WDFW marine area points. Checked November 2026.

Lakes

Still water WDFW maps within Whatcom County

Lake	Acres	Launches	WDFW program	Fish WDFW maps
Ross Lake	11,493	0	Trout emphasis	rainbow trout
Lake Whatcom	4,924	3	Mixed species – Trout emphasis	coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass
Baker Lake	4,755	0	Trout emphasis	kokanee, rainbow trout
Lake Shannon	2,060	0	Trout emphasis	brook trout, coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee
Lake Samish	810	1	Mixed species – Trout emphasis	coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass
Diablo Lake	804	0	Trout emphasis	rainbow trout
Lake Terrell	321	1	Mixed species – Warmwater emphasis	rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass
Gorge Lake	220	0	Trout emphasis	rainbow trout
Silver Lake (Whatcom County)	157	1	Mixed species – Trout emphasis	rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout
Lake Padden	148	0	Mixed species – Trout emphasis	rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee
Wiser Lake	116	1	Warmwater emphasis	largemouth bass, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed
Cain Lake	71	1	Mixed species – Trout emphasis	rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch
Lower Thornton Lake	52	0	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	rainbow trout
Tennant Lake	44	2	NHD-mapped lake
Depression Lake	41	0	Trout emphasis
Lake Fazon	32	1	Warmwater emphasis	rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass
Squalicum Lake	31	1	Trout emphasis	rainbow trout, tiger trout, coastal cutthroat trout
Toad Lake	28	1	Mixed species – Trout emphasis	rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Hayes Lake (Whatcom County)	12	0	WDFW high lake, getting started lakes	rainbow trout
Arbuthnot Lake	7	0	WDFW high lake, getting started lakes	rainbow trout
Pine Lake (Whatcom County)	6	0	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	coastal cutthroat trout

WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); WDFW publishes no lake depths in these layers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.

Marine water

Sound and ocean water off Whatcom County

Launches, piers and bays put 3 marine waters in touch with Whatcom County.

Water	Kind	Launches	Piers and shore	Marine area
San Juan Islands (Marine Area 7)	WDFW marine area	8	6	7
Bellingham Bay	regional marine water	0	3	7
Strait of Georgia	regional marine water	0	0	7

CO-OPS stations serving Whatcom County

9.24 ftCherry Point, MLLW water level, October 31, 2026

NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.

The 2003 to 2006 NOAA ESI atlas lists 8 marinas here, an old record worth confirming by phone.

WDFW Recreational Marine Areas (WAC 220-300-160 boundaries), WDFW and State Parks marine launches, WDFW piers and USGS GNIS bay names; retrieved October 31, 2026.

Species

What the WDFW layers say swims near Whatcom County

Around Bellingham, to 50 miles, rainbow trout turns up on more water pages than the rest.

Rainbow trout38 waters

Largemouth bass34 waters

Coastal cutthroat trout23 waters

Yellow perch21 waters

Pumpkinseed12 waters

Brown bullhead10 waters

Black crappie9 waters

Kokanee7 waters

Bluegill6 waters

Brown trout4 waters

Species mapped in the WDFW Fish Washington layers, WDFW state records and the 2026 WDFW trout plants, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a survey.

More water

Lakes in Whatcom County that live on this list only

WDFW and NHD maps hold 52 more named lakes in Whatcom County, shown with acreage and program.

Water	Acres	WDFW program	Nearest town
Berdeen Lake	126	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Tomyhoi Lake	62	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Watson – Lower (Big) Lake	47	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Iceberg Lake	36	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Shuksan Lake	29	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Sourdough Lake	27	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Lake Wiseman	19	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Sudden Valley
Maiden Lake	18	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Lower Twin Lake	18	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Kwahnesum Lake	16	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Upper Twin Lake	16	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Watson – Upper (Little) Lake	16	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Willow Lake	15	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Copper Lake	13	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Blue Lake (Whatcom County)	12	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Sedro-Woolley
Middle Thornton Lake	12	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Skymo Lake	11	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Sub Zero Lake	10	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Upper Berdeen Lake	9	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Church Lake	9	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Lower Berdeen Lake	7	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Ridley Lake	7	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Freezeout Lake	6	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Hawkeye Lake	6	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Bearpaw Mountain Lake	6	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Dougs Lake	6	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Elbow Lake	5	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Sudden Valley
Firn Lake	4	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Lost Lake (Whatcom County)	4	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Triumph Lake	4	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Middle Diobsud Lake	4	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Upper Bagley Lake	4	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Peaceful Valley
Bald Mountain Lake	3	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Hi Yu Lake	3	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Diobsud – E'most Lake	3	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Joker Lake	3	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Picture Lake	3	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Pocket Lake	3	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Shuksan Pot – Large Lake	2	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Howard Creek Firepond Lake	2	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Sedro-Woolley
Wiseman – Little Lake	2	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Sudden Valley
Doreen – Pothole Lake	2	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Sudden Valley
Upper String Lake	2	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Watson Pot Lake	2	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Mazama Lake	2	WDFW high lake, getting started lakes	Peaceful Valley
Rankin Lake	1	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Rainbow Lake (Whatcom County)	1	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Tuckway Lake	1	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Sedro-Woolley
Upper Quill Lake	1	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington
Pinus Lake	1	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Peaceful Valley
Upper Skymo Lake	1	WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes	Darrington
Lower Quill Lake	0	WDFW high lake, fish stocking	Darrington

WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.

Rivers

Moving water with pages in Whatcom County

• Skagit RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 7 mapped launches, 3 WDFW shore or access sites, 11 USGS gauges, 124 mi in Washington
• Nooksack RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 3 mapped launches, 4 WDFW shore or access sites, 4 USGS gauges, 39 mi in Washington
• Baker RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 mapped launch, 2 USGS gauges, 35 mi in Washington
• Similkameen River (Whatcom County)SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 48 mi in Washington
• North Fork Nooksack RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 1 USGS gauge, 46 mi in Washington
• South Fork Nooksack RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 USGS gauges, 42 mi in Washington
• Samish RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 WDFW shore or access sites, 1 USGS gauge, 30 mi in Washington
• Middle Fork Nooksack RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 USGS gauge, 20 mi in Washington

Lesser streams of Whatcom County (4)

• Chilliwack RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 15 mi in Washington
• Little Chilliwack RiverSWIFD lists coho, 6 mi in Washington
• Little Fork Little Chilliwack River4 mi in Washington
• Lummi RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 4 mi in Washington

Streamflow posted by Whatcom County gauges

USGS gauge	Latest reading	Time (ET)
Skagit River At Newhalem, Wa	3,280 cfs, 83.68 ft gage height	Nov 11 8:15 pm
Nooksack River At Ferndale, Wa	7,090 cfs, 9.15 ft gage height	Nov 11 7:30 pm
Nooksack River At Everson, Wa	5,780 cfs, 75.83 ft gage height	Nov 11 8:00 pm
Nooksack River Near Lynden, Wa	6,590 cfs, 40.30 ft gage height	Nov 11 8:00 pm
Nooksack River At North Cedarville, Wa	3,880 cfs, 139.77 ft gage height	Nov 11 7:15 pm
Sf Nooksack River At Saxon Bridge, Wa	1,270 cfs, 2.21 ft gage height	Nov 11 8:00 pm

US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.

USGS NHD flowlines and Washington lengths, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches, USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.

Stocking

WDFW hatchery trucks that stopped in Whatcom County

The 2026 plant log for Whatcom County reads 23 releases and 52,445 fish, covering 9 waters.

• Fishtrap CreekRainbow, 75 fish at 0.25 per pound, June 12, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Fishtrap CreekRainbow, 1,235 fish at 1.8 per pound, June 12, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Whatcom CreekRainbow, 1,205 fish at 2 per pound, May 8, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Whatcom CreekRainbow, 500 fish at 1.8 per pound, April 24, 2026, Bellingham Hatchery
• Squalicum LakeRainbow, 500 fish at 0.5 per pound, April 24, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Silver Lake (Whatcom County)Rainbow, 7,050 fish at 2 per pound, April 24, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Lake PaddenRainbow, 1,750 fish at 1.8 per pound, April 24, 2026, Bellingham Hatchery
• Toad LakeRainbow, 2,700 fish at 2 per pound, April 23, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Lake PaddenRainbow, 4,200 fish at 2 per pound, April 21, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Cain LakeRainbow, 4,800 fish at 2 per pound, April 21, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Silver Lake (Whatcom County)Rainbow, 2,100 fish at 2 per pound, April 20, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery
• Lake PaddenRainbow, 4,200 fish at 2 per pound, April 20, 2026, Kendall Cr Hatchery

WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.

Access

Ramps, piers and access points of Whatcom County

• Cain Lake boat launchCain Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
• De Groot boat launch on Nooksack RiverNooksack River, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Ferndale boat launch on Nooksack RiverNooksack River, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Depatment, 1 ramp, concrete surface
• Lake Fazon boat launchLake Fazon, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Lake Samish boat launchLake Samish, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Lake Terrell boat launchLake Terrell, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Lake Whatcom boat launchLake Whatcom, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Nugents Corner boat launch on Nooksack RiverNooksack River, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Silver Lake boat launch (north)Silver Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Toad Lake boat launchToad Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, unimproved surface surface, Discover Pass
• Wiser Lake boat launchWiser Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Car Top Boat Launchlaunch site, WDFW, Discover Pass
• Lake Whatcom boat launchLake Whatcom, agency not given, gravel surface
• Public launch (east)launch site, WDFW, Discover Pass
• Public launch (west)launch site, WDFW, Discover Pass
• Public launch on Lake WhatcomLake Whatcom, WDFW, concrete surface, Discover Pass
• Squalicum Lake boat launchSqualicum Lake, WDFW, 1 hand launch, Discover Pass
• Tennant Lake LaunchTennant Lake, WDFW, unimproved surface, Discover Pass
• Tennant Lake boat launchTennant Lake, agency not given, unimproved surface

The pass flag is set at 16 launches: hang a Discover Pass from the mirror there.

Fishing on foot in Whatcom County (24)

• Bellingham Cruise Terminal on Bellingham Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 7
• Boulevard Park Pier (Bellingham) on Bellingham Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 7
• Drayton Harbor Park Pier (Port of Bellingham)fishing pier, Marine Area 7
• Gooseberry Pt. Ferry Dock on Bellingham Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 7
• Harksell on Nooksack Riverwater access area
• Hof Bar on Nooksack Riverwater access area
• Proctor-Rupke on Nooksack Riverwater access area
• Cedar Lakeaccess point (no launch)
• Fishing pier on Lake Terrellfishing pier
• Fishing pier on Lake Terrellfishing pier
• Hof on Nooksack Riveraccess point (no launch)
• Lake Padden fishing piershore fishing site, Public fishing pier
• Lake Padden fishing pier near Bellinghamshore fishing site, Public fishing pier, trail leads to additional fishing spots
• Lake Padden shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing next to boat launch
• Lake Samish shore accessshore fishing site, Very limited shore fishing next to boat launch
• Lake Terrell fishing piershore fishing site, Public fishing dock
• Lake Whatcom shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing
• Lake Whatcom shore access near Sudden Valleyshore fishing site, Trail provides shore fishing along 3 miles of shoreline
• North Fork Nooksackaccess point (no launch)
• Pine Lake shore accessaccess point (no launch)
• Silver Lake fishing pier near Maple Fallsshore fishing site, Public dock
• Silver Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing from parking lot
• Silver Lake shore access near Maple Fallsshore fishing site, 150 feet of shore fishing
• Silver Lake shore access near Peaceful Valleyshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing next to boat launch

WDFW Facilities layer (boat launches, piers, shore sites) and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026. Lanes and per-launch fees are not published in these layers.

Regulations

The 2026-27 pamphlet rows covering Whatcom County

Start with the statewide table for Whatcom County; any Special Rule listed after it overrides those rows. WDFW sells the 2026-27 Freshwater license for $39.95 to Washington residents and $115.85 to visitors 16 and up. Marine areas fall under the Saltwater license: $40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident in 2026-27. Keep a catch record card on you for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut; WDFW issues it with the license.

Species	Limit	Season
Largemouth Bass	No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Largemouth Bass	No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Smallmouth Bass	No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Smallmouth Bass	No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Walleye	Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Walleye	No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Channel Catfish	No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Channel Catfish	No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Burbot (Freshwater Ling)	No min. size. Daily limit 5.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish,	No min. size. No daily limit.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
Grass Carp	Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules.	Closed
Kokanee	No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie)	Min. size 50". Daily limit 1.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
Whitefish	No min. size. Daily limit 15.	Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
Steelhead	Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed.	Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed
Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout	In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.	Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23)

Saltwater rows differ by marine area and sit on each marine area page. Marine area rules

Special Rules naming Whatcom County water (235)

Water and reach	Species	Rule
Baker River: from mouth to the lower Baker Dam	All species	CLOSED WATERS.
Big Beaver Creek: from 1/4 mile upstream of Ross Lake markers to headwaters, including tributary streams and beaver ponds	All species	Selective gear rules.
Big Beaver Creek: from 1/4 mile upstream of Ross Lake markers to headwaters, including tributary streams and beaver ponds	Trout	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (July 1-Oct. 31)
Big Beaver Creek: from 1/4 mile upstream of Ross Lake markers to headwaters, including tributary streams and beaver ponds	Other game fish	Statewide min. size/daily limit. (July 1-Oct. 31)
Channel Creek: (Baker River tributary)	All game fish	Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31)
Dakota Creek: from mouth (a line from the outermost headland of the south bank to a house at 1285 Runge Avenue, Blaine, Washington, approx. 1/4 mile downstream	All species	Selective gear rules.
Dakota Creek: from mouth (a line from the outermost headland of the south bank to a house at 1285 Runge Avenue, Blaine, Washington, approx. 1/4 mile downstream	All game fish	Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Dec. 31)
Kendall Creek: from mouth through the hatchery to the hatchery boundary fence	All species	CLOSED WATERS.
Nooksack River: from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. Bridge CRC (794)	All species	Anti-snagging rule. Night closure. (Aug. 1-Oct. 26)
Nooksack River: from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. Bridge CRC (794)	Trout	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14". (Aug. 1-Oct. 26)
Nooksack River: from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. Bridge CRC (794)	Steelhead (hatchery)	Closed. (Aug. 1-Oct. 26)
Nooksack River: from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. Bridge CRC (794)	Other game fish	Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Aug. 1-Oct. 26)
Nooksack River: from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. Bridge CRC (794)	Salmon	Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 each of wild coho, chum, and hatchery Chinook. Release wild Chinook. (Aug. 1-Sept. 30)
Nooksack River: from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. Bridge CRC (794)	Salmon	Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 each of Chinook, wild coho, and chum. (Oct. 1-Oct. 26)
Nooksack River: from the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)	All species	Anti-snagging rule. Night closure. (Aug. 1-Dec. 31)
Nooksack River: from the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)	Trout	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14". (Aug. 1-Dec. 31)
Nooksack River: from the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)	Steelhead (hatchery)	Closed. (Aug. 1-Dec. 31)
Nooksack River: from the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)	Other game fish	Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Aug. 1-Dec. 31)
Nooksack River: from the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)	Salmon	Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 each of wild coho, chum, and hatchery Chinook. Release wild Chinook. (Aug. 1-Sept. 30)
Nooksack River: from the Yellow marker approx. 0.65 miles upstream of the Slater Rd. to the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming CRC (794)	Salmon	Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 each of Chinook, wild coho, and chum. (Oct. 1-Dec. 31)

All Special Rules by water

Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026. Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 26 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.

Records

Whatcom County entries on the WDFW record list

Species	Weight	Angler	Water	Date
Channel Catfish	37.70 lbs	Cole Abshere	Lake Terrell	Aug. 20, 2019
Pumpkinseed	1.09 lbs	Barbie Hathawayn	Lake Terrell	July 2, 2007
Copper Rockfish	10.00 lbs	David Northington	Point Roberts Reef, Whatcom County	Aug. 6, 1989

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.

Tournaments

Events launching inside Whatcom County

8 published events launch in or fish Whatcom County, with 0 upcoming.

Date	Event	Water	Organizer
Aug. 29, 2026	Resurrection Derby	Bellingham Bay	Resurrection Derby
Aug. 15, 2026	Lake Whatcom 08/15/2026	Lake Whatcom	Washington State Pond Jumperz Bass Club
July 18, 2026	Lake Samish 07/18/2026	Lake Samish	Washington State Pond Jumperz Bass Club
Oct. 4, 2025	Lake Samish CLASSIC 10/04/2025	Lake Samish	Washington State Pond Jumperz Bass Club
Aug. 16, 2025	Resurrection Derby 2025 Derby	Bellingham Bay	Resurrection Derby
July 19, 2025	Lake Samish 07/19/2025	Lake Samish	Washington State Pond Jumperz Bass Club
April 6, 2025	9th Annual Team Terrell 04/06/2025	Lake Terrell	Washington State Pond Jumperz Bass Club
not printed	10th Annual Team Terrell Results	Lake Terrell	Washington State Pond Jumperz Bass Club

Washington tournaments

Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.

Local help

Whatcom County fly shops, tackle and hired skippers

Stores keeping Whatcom County anglers supplied

• Barlean's Fisherybait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Dave's Sports Shopbait and tackle shop, Lynden
• Fat Fish Tackle Co.bait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Norm's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Pappy Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Redden Marine Supply Incbait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Starfish Incbait and tackle shop, Blaine
• The Confluence Fly Shopfly shop, Bellingham
• Tim McAllister Fishingbait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Yeagers Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Bellingham
• Blaine Harbormarina, Blaine
• Dick's Sporting Goods Bellinghamsporting goods store, Bellingham
• Harbor Marine Fuelmarina, Bellingham
• Hilton Harbor Marinamarina, Bellingham
• PR Marina LPmarina, Point Roberts
• Semiahmoo Marinamarina, Blaine
• Sportsman's Warehouse Bellinghamsporting goods store, Bellingham
• Squalicum Harbormarina, Bellingham

Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide and charter listings (city of business); retrieved October 31, 2026.

Nearby

Places that border Whatcom County

Whatcom County towns with a fishing page

• Bellinghampop. 91,482
• Lyndenpop. 15,749
• Ferndalepop. 15,048
• Birch Baypop. 10,115
• Sudden Valleypop. 6,354
• Blainepop. 5,884
• Marietta-Alderwoodpop. 4,015
• Peaceful Valleypop. 3,015
• Eversonpop. 2,888
• Genevapop. 2,652
• Sumaspop. 1,583
• Nooksackpop. 1,471
• Point Robertspop. 1,191

Neighbouring Washington counties of Whatcom County

• Skagit County26 miles south
• Snohomish County55 miles south
• Island County61 miles southwest
• San Juan County62 miles west

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Photos

Lakes, rivers and sound close to Whatcom County, pictured

Answers

Common questions about angling in Whatcom County

How many boat launches are mapped in Whatcom County?

19 launches in all, managed by 16 WDFW and 3 other agencies.

Which Whatcom County lake spreads widest in the WDFW layer?

Ross Lake, at 11,493 surface acres in the WDFW layer.

Which species show up on the most waters by Whatcom County?

Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, coastal cutthroat trout and yellow perch.

Is there a bait counter in Whatcom County?

There are 18, Barlean's Fishery among them.

Do any river guides call Whatcom County home?

No guide lists this county; the Washington guides page has the rest.

Where do Whatcom County residents go for county business?

The seat is Bellingham.

Which Washington license covers Whatcom County water?

WDFW sells the 2026-27 Freshwater license for $39.95 to Washington residents and $115.85 to visitors 16 and up. Marine areas fall under the Saltwater license: $40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident in 2026-27.

What counties share a line with Whatcom County?

Neighbours by distance: Skagit County, Snohomish County and Island County.

Do clubs or derbies fish in Whatcom County?

8 events on file from organizer pages, none with a date still ahead.

Where do Whatcom County waters depart from the statewide tables?

The 2026-27 pamphlet prints 235 Special Rule entries touching this county, starting with Baker River; the table above shows the first ones.

Where is the salmon fishing on salt water near Whatcom County?

San Juan Islands, Bellingham Bay and Strait of Georgia; the marine table above links each page.

Has a Washington record fish come from Whatcom County?

Channel Catfish, 37.70 lbs, from Lake Terrell, Whatcom County (Aug. 20, 2019).

How many trout went into Whatcom County water in 2026?

23 WDFW plants so far in 2026, 52,445 fish; the latest went into Fishtrap Creek on June 12, 2026.

Hitch up the boat for Whatcom County

Check the Special Rules before keeping fish.

All Washington countiesWashington fishing rules